Anyone been to Lapland and didn’t like it

[LardLizard]

If so why not, relaly want to go but so expensive

It was utterly fucking brilliant. We went with Canterbury Travel that got us there despite the drone strike. Best day out ever!

Which I realise was not what you wanted to hear

We all loved it. Only issues which didn't affect us where some under 5s were crying with the cold, so would ideally wait until kids are 5 plus. Also heard some younger kids, again under 5s would presume, find day trip too long.

But generally its pretty perfect - we even went back in summer. We were very lucky went in 2012 and got a deal for flight, 3 nights hotel with pool and spa included and breakfast, gala dinner with santa, reindeer and fireworks, husky, reindeer and snowmobile rides and elf workshop, gingerbread making, artic circle crossing etc for £400 each. Amazing.

Yes I wanted to hear actaully it’s not that great,save your money !

Op there are loads of threads on this, especially in Xmas topics if you Go back and search. Lots of good tips... I followed for a while because I fancied it too.
. The only thing that cropped up was, unless you have been somewhere properly cold... It's hard to imagine just how cold it itgets.over estimate the cold and over estimate it some more

What I’m wondering is, is there anywhere else you could do a husky sled ride in the U.K.

It’s cold but amazing!

No, it’s amazing
To get a better value for your money look into getting a basic ski holiday (hotel and flight) and add on excursions.

It's amazing don't hesitate do it. Worth every penny x

Another one who found Lapland a trip of a lifetime experience.

DD was 15 so we went with hopes of seeing the Northern Lights rather than Father Christmas, and went in the February half term. It was utterly brilliant. I agree that the cold might be too much for the tinies.

And yes, we saw the Northern Lights.

We weren’t even cold despite it being minus 15. The child is 11 so was tall enough to go on the snowmobiles. There’s so much cheap thermal stuff in all the shops here now that once they give you the snow suit you’re toasty. We honestly weren’t cold at all except for crossing the runway in our regular coats.

Lizard we went over Christmas this year and it was amazing (saw Santa on Christmas Eve and it was snowing!)! Yes it is expensive but in my opinion is so, so worth it just because it is magical and so different to any other holiday I’ve taken the DDs in previously. But I have heard good things about Lapland UK too which may be worth looking into if Lapland is too expensive.

It was -27C when we went and definitely cold even in the special gear provided. We were there over Christmas. You aren't actually outside for that long - daylight hours are very short. They told us a heatwave was minus 10C.

Oh and I was stressed beforehand about the cold as eldest DD has SEN and struggled in this country when it’s cold but we were given all the gear and took balaclavas for the kids and not once did they say they were cold. Taking all the stuff off for the toilet was a mission though so for that reason I wouldn’t take a v small child who is potty training/unreliable!

Honestly we loved it ( aiming to go back next year) it was my best holiday ever! So beautiful and even though it was cold ( warmest was -6) kids only mentioned the cold when we did an open air theatre ( so stood at night in the cold at -18).

Done Lapland U.K. and yes it was good and imo worth the money, but I really fancy the real deal ! Snow mobiles and husky’s and Father Christmas
What’s the youngest age you you reccomend

Another who agrees it's fantastic! My youngest was about 7 when we went, I wouldn't go much below about 5 or 6. There were people with toddlers/buggies which looked properly stressful! We're we're not cold at all (about-10) but it had been -25 the week before and we were told that lots of tiny ones really struggled.

Sorry I can't help you because we loved it! Went to Saariselka with Santa's Lapland, it was great. As others have said very cold, my DC was 7 which I think was perfect.

Took the kids just before Christmas, and despite nearly not making it due to the drones, we did, and not was it worth it!!! We ALL had the best time there, definitely worth the trip and the high price tag!!

We've been twice! (That's how much we love it - Santa trip once and recently a ski trip). My son was 4.5 the first time. This was probably the youngest I would suggest. It is magical and worth every penny.

That should have said: "boy was it worth it!"

-26 for us, it was cold but we were fine (recommend merino under layer for the kids). We loved it, nothing comes close (sorry).

Below -20 they stopped toddlers going on some of the excursions, so I'd say stick to the recommendation which I think is age 5+ (unless you are happy with potentially no activities)

When we were there there was a family with a toddler who was just exhausted by all the activity and fell asleep so missed the husky ride! I would say 5-8 years old is the prime age for a Santa based trip but you could go with older ones and do things like snowmobiles, skiing etc

"The child is 11 so was tall enough to go on the snowmobiles."

When we went no-one under 16 was allowed on the snowmobiles. They were pulled along on a giant sledge. DD said it was the coldest she had ever been in her life. TBH a two hour snowmobile drive along a frozen river in pitch dark in temperatures of minus 10 was an ordeal, not a pleasure.

However, the husky driving was amazing. I don't see how a small child could have taken part in this as the driver stood on the back of the sled and the other person sat in the seat. I wouldn't have wanted to drive one of these with a small child in the seat as they weren't strapped in, and there wasn't enough room for an adult and a small child.

I think the poster meant her DC could go behind them on the snowmobile, Laponica. You have to have a valid driving licence to drive one, at least the company organising our excursions demanded that.